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Arterial stiffness in persons with paraplegia
Jill M Wecht1, Joseph P Weir, Ronald E DeMeersman
1Veterans Affairs Medical Center, SCI and Medical Services, Bronx, New York 10468, USA. JWECHT@Hotmail.com
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
|October 14, 2004
Summary
Individuals with paraplegia exhibit increased arterial stiffness, indicated by a higher augmentation index (AI), compared to able-bodied individuals. This finding suggests a potential for premature arterial disease in the paraplegic population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Vascular biomechanics
Background:
- Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Augmentation index (AI) quantifies arterial stiffness noninvasively.
- Increased arterial stiffness correlates with higher blood pressure and reduced baroreceptor sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare common carotid augmentation index (AI) between individuals with paraplegia and able-bodied controls.
- To assess group differences in blood pressure response to supine and gravitational stress.
Main Methods:
- 19 individuals with paraplegia (below T6) and 9 able-bodied controls participated.
- An electronic tilt table assessed responses to gravitational stress (-10 to 75 degrees).
- Common carotid AI was measured using a strain-gauge transducer at each tilt angle.
Main Results:
- Augmentation index (AI) was significantly higher in the paraplegia group (8.0 +/- 3.9) versus controls (6.7 +/- 2.8).
- No significant differences were observed in supine blood pressure or systolic blood pressure response to tilt between groups.
- Systolic blood pressure showed no effect of tilt angle in either group.
Conclusions:
- Normotensive individuals with paraplegia demonstrated significantly increased AI compared to matched able-bodied controls.
- Elevated AI in paraplegia may indicate premature arterial disease development.
- Further research is warranted to explore cardiovascular implications in this population.